The Corgi’s were barking and the goalie was a moon in the Salo house in the third (causing a tie in regulation) but the Oilers found a way to win a home game and Todd Nelson is off and running. The Hall line had a nice night (17% ZS and 58% EV Corsi for) and the Gordon line (10-26) did their due diligence with Matt Hendricks scoring a goal during a quick trip up the Rob Roy. The first two periods last night were fabulous and part of me believes they can win tonight, too.

Two periods of Oilers hockey that I didn’t hate. I don’t know how to feel about that.

They got hammered in the third period but this team rolled lines and had reasonable results through two periods last night. I know it was the second half of a btb for the Kings but it’s still LAK and Edmonton found a way. In a season with so little to enjoy, I’m willing to overlook the Corgi’s (47-66) and point out those two periods at the beginning of the game were rock solid.

This is the kind of future I can get behind. I think this was Klefbom’s best game in the NHL, the play he made at the blueline on the Nuge goal was strong strong strong. If he can improve his consistency during this season Edmonton will have one gigantic arrow in their future quiver to go with Hall and Nuge.

Petry six more minutes than Schultz? Maybe they will sign him! This kind of tracking of minutes is always important, never moreso than during a new coach’s early days. We’re discovering the men Todd Nelson trusts (Klefbom, reunited Nuge line) and can live without (Arcobello, Pinizzotto) along with the group of players Edmonton wants a long look at this season (Pitlick is the best current example).

Roy is exactly what the doctor ordered, that pass to Hendricks was sublime. I also liked Fraser, you can see that MacT would like this guy right off the hop. I didn’t notice a lot of offensive moments but he held the puck and made smart plays when the opportunity presented itself.

Tyler Pitlick and Boyd Gordon did not register an offensive zone faceoff at 5on5 all game. Thats honestly impressive.

A very good sign for Pitlick: They’re using him as he should be deployed. I have tracked his entire career since draft day and there was a time when he scored enough we could dream about him as a complementary player offensively—and some of that offense may return someday when the game slows down for him at the NHL level. For now, tough zone-starts and a physical presence on a checking line suit his skills perfectly. This speaks to Nelson’s tweaks, and along with Nuge line being reunited and the power-play improvement are the first signs of the new coach putting his stamp on the team. Combined with the additions of Roy and Fraser, the Oilers are definitely morphing into something else. The concerns? Foot speed of the forwards and early possession results.

Darryl Sutter on Ben Scrivens having to change the color of his stick tape: “It’s a rule. You have to have white tape on your stick. [Reporter: Did you just notice it then in the shootout?] No. If you check the books, he played for us.”

Sutter isn’t for everyone but I like him fine. That was a good effort for Ben Scrivens despite the Muzzin goal. The number one factor in this disaster has been goaltending, if this young man can pull it out of the ditch there should be some sunshine with the rain in the new year. It’ll be interesting to see if Nelson runs his starter out there again tonight, I think there’s a chance he does. Do you like the additions of tweets? I’m overusing it (new toy) but it looks appealing, right? Let me know.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Craig MacTavish and that’s with the understanding that he’s loyal and stubborn on epic levels. This is the right thing to do but along with the deal for Roy is an admission of failure in roster construction. I think MacT is still learning on the job, this was a crushing lesson that cost him an entire season (along with the goaltending inertia and the Nikitin). I hope he’ll be more ready next fall for tweaking, or at the very least approach balance in his summer roster work. It’s a big damn deal.

LOWDOWN WITH LOWETIDE

10 this morning, last show of the year. TSN 1260, scheduled to appear:

Bruce McCurdy, Cult of Hockey. Oilers win! Plus Canada-USA.

Kent Wilson, Flames Nation. It’s probably time for us to think about Gaudreau as a player. Briere? BETTER? We’ll talk.

The only mishandling the Flames did with Phaneuf was trading him for buckets of nothing (that said, if the Flames were to offer Stajan straight up to the Leafs for Phaneuf, I think they might take that deal)

The only mishandling the Flames did with Phaneuf was trading him for buckets of nothing (that said, if the Flames were to offer Stajan straight up to the Leafs for Phaneuf, I think they might take that deal)

That is more because Phaneuf is signed till 2021 at 7 mil and he will be 36

Fantastic road period IMO. A goal, a lead, and goal tending. So far so good. I like that the “battle” seems to be coming back to the battle of Alberta. Not loving Purcell so far by my eyes. He seems like a boat anchor on that line.

Even though it’s a pretty smart and effective strategy by Perron to constantly use his body in puck protection while he hangs onto itk too long, it does irk me how damn slow he is. No where near NHL speed.

Lowetide:
Scrivens needs to commit less on that goal. Lordy. And the Pitlick hit wasn’t a penalty.

‘over-committing’ has been the source of most of our problems this season. One of my favourites is when our forwards are pressing the D on the regroup in their zone and swing over to take away the d-to-d pass, but so early and so deep that the D man just moves the puck up ice and our guy is completely out of the play.

Wow, through 2, and no comments from the opposition. Edmonton wins, and it’ll be pretty quiet. Edmonton loses, and I’d bet that there will be a few posters talking about how the Flames are better than the Oilers.

I hate that Edmonton is in the Eichel/McDavid sweepstakes. Hate it. That said, if you’re missing the playoffs, as both these teams will, isn’t it better to get a generational player?

Would I trade teams for where the Flames are now? No. As I said earlier – I think that the Flames are in the Gagner/Nilsson/Cogliano/Brule/Pouliot years. Lots of talent coming down the pipe, but how much will help?

Tuning into my first game in several days. It sure is nice seeing this team instead of last week’s trainwreck. Also, 4-93-14 on a regular shift is a sight for sore eyes.

LT – my respectful blog feedback on your use of twitter embeds is that they become disruptive to the flow quickly. Restated, one or two may help a post, but generally less is more. If you were a shitty writer, which in my view you are certainly not, I’d suggest the opposite!

How do you start 3 on 3 in OT with Hall, Ference and Shultz. Unbelievable. I would think a centre to win the draw might be an ok option. And I don’t blame Scrivens but he had a good chance on the tying and winning goals. He is what he is and it’s not nearly enough.

Eh, I’m still reasonably happy. Eye trumps awful small sample size shot metrics last night and tonight. And eye says something’s different. Who knows how long it lasts. This is the Nelson bounce. I honestly don’t think MacTavish should have been on the bench. We’ll see what happens Friday.

Two primary assists in nine whopping minutes of icetime for Leon makes you wonder. The plan seems to be Anton getting the push of all pushes with his AHL coach. It’s still probably the best plan for both players. But I do wonder what Leon is going to do Friday night.

Tough to play two full periods with only 5 D on the second half of a back-to-back. Horrible line change in OT but will give credit to the rule putting the goalie at the far end of the ice from the bench…caused a goal tonight in a game that might have gone to the SO.

Actually enjoyed the game , Scrivens in goal , Schultz with some effort , Klefbom seemed involved , the gut it out from the forwards . Can actually say I saw a team that was trying . Wondering if I’m not seeing this for what it was in the end , and that’s another loss .

Can someone please explain to me how an embellishment penalty can be called, when a tripping call is made on the other player??? I’ve seen this a few times and it really baffles me. I can understand an embellishment call on its own, but how can you have both??

It’s mental. Nelson has his work cut out for him. They played a 200 foot game to get the lead and tried to defend only 100 feet. That set up a line change when the puck was only at center. They are not there yet.

Must defend as a group no matter where they are on the ice. The ol’ “Get-it-to-the-forwards-and-let-em-do-their-thing” Does NOT work for this crew.

200′ group defense the surest way to begin dictating the play. If you are defending properly there is no guess work as to where the play goes.
Because of your proper defensive positioning you force the opposition into predictable plays which the proper defending is not responding to the offence but forcing them to do what you need as a defender. Your line mates, if in position, are coached to support the puck and you along with it.

I bet the corsi close is brutal when we lead. (I dont know, don’t judge me)